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New Report Evaluates Free Digital Texts The California Learning Resource Network (CLRN) has released its review of free digital textbooks, evaluating more than a dozen texts that are now available to school districts. The report outlines how high school math and science textbooks submitted under the first phase of the initiative measure up against the state’s rigorous academic content standards. Of the 16 free digital textbooks for high school math and science reviewed, ten meet at least 90 percent of California’s standards. Four meet 100 percent of standards, including the CK-12 Foundation’s CK-12 Single Variable Calculus, CK-12 Trigonometry, CK-12 Chemistry and Dr. H. Jerome Kreisler’s Elementary Calculus: an Infinitesimal Approach. California Secretary of Education Glen Thomas said, “This represents an important first step toward ubiquitous instruction that will help ensure all California students have access to the first-rate education they deserve.” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said “California’s Digital Textbook Initiative gives school districts high-quality, cost-effective options to consider when choosing textbooks for the classroom – not only during these difficult economic times but in the years to come. This represents an important step toward embracing a more interactive learning environment that leverages technology to meet the changing academic needs of California’s students.” The Governor launched the digital textbook effort in May. This report helps districts identify the materials that best meet the needs of their students, providing them with additional options to maintain educational excellence during these difficult economic times and in the years to come. The reviewed digital textbooks are available for schools to use this fall. Since these digital books are downloadable and may be projected on a screen, viewed on a computer, printed chapter by chapter, or bound for use in the classroom, schools can take advantage of these free, standards-aligned resources using existing hardware – even in classrooms without computers or laptops for every student. The California Learning Resource Network (CLRN) is a California Department of Education Statewide Educational Technology Services project. Reviewers who evaluated the digital texts were responsible for confirming whether materials fully, partially or did not meet State Board of Education adopted standards for geometry, algebra II, trigonometry, calculus, physics, chemistry, biology/life science and earth science. The full text of the 39-page report and links to each textbook download and their corresponding standards alignment documents are available on Corn’s Web site at http://www.clrn.org/fdti. Source: Governor's Press Office |
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